Department of Medical Biochemistry and Clinical Biochemistry (Firat Hormones Research Group), School of Medicine, Firat University Hospital, Firat University, Elazig 23119, Turkey.
Mol Cell Biochem. 2010 Jun;339(1-2):173-9. doi: 10.1007/s11010-009-0381-1. Epub 2010 Jan 3.
The underlying molecular mechanism of carcinogenesis in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is poorly understood and appears to be controlled on many genetic, environmental, and hormonal factors. Obestatin and ghrelin, two recently discovered hormones, are co-expressed in endocrine cells. The purpose of this investigation was to examine the immunohistochemical features of OSCCs in relation to the tissue concentration of ghrelin and obestatin. The association between OSCC and Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) status was also explored. The expression of ghrelin and obestatin was examined by immunohistochemistry and immunoassay in oral biopsy specimens: 10 benign squamous epithelial cell samples, 10 microinvasive squamous cell carcinomas, and seven well-differentiated and seven poorly differentiated OSCCs. The presence of EBV was evaluated in these samples using immunohistochemistry. The concentrations of ghrelin and obestatin in tissue homogenates were measured by RIA and ELISA, respectively. Squamous cell carcinomas and benign tissue samples were positive for anti-EBV antibody, and obestatin and ghrelin were shown to be co-expressed in all stratified squamous epithelium samples. Expression of ghrelin and obestatin was decreased or absent in OSCCs in relation to the invasiveness of the carcinoma; ghrelin and obestatin levels in cancerous tissue homogenates were lower than in benign tissue homogenates. These results indicate that the concentrations and distribution of immunoreactive obestatin and ghrelin might be helpful in distinguishing OSCC from benign tumors. Maintaining normal levels of these hormones might be required for regulation of normal cell division. However, detailed studies will be required for better understanding of the complex mechanism of carcinogenesis relating to OSCCs.
口腔鳞状细胞癌（OSCC）发生的潜在分子机制尚未完全清楚，似乎受许多遗传、环境和激素因素的控制。肥胖素和胃饥饿素是两种最近发现的激素，它们在内分泌细胞中共同表达。本研究旨在探讨 OSCC 与胃饥饿素和肥胖素组织浓度的关系，并探索 OSCC 与 Epstein-Barr 病毒（EBV）状态的相关性。通过免疫组织化学和免疫测定法检查了口腔活检标本中 ghrelin 和 obestatin 的免疫组织化学特征：10 个良性鳞状上皮细胞样本、10 个微侵袭性鳞状细胞癌和 7 个分化良好和 7 个分化不良的 OSCC。使用免疫组织化学评估这些样本中 EBV 的存在。通过 RIA 和 ELISA 分别测量组织匀浆中 ghrelin 和 obestatin 的浓度。鳞状细胞癌和良性组织样本均为 EBV 抗体阳性，所有分层鳞状上皮样本均显示 obestatin 和 ghrelin 共同表达。ghrelin 和 obestatin 的表达与癌的侵袭性呈负相关；癌组织匀浆中的 ghrelin 和 obestatin 水平低于良性组织匀浆。这些结果表明，免疫反应性 obestatin 和 ghrelin 的浓度和分布可能有助于区分 OSCC 与良性肿瘤。维持这些激素的正常水平可能是正常细胞分裂调节所必需的。然而，需要进一步的详细研究以更好地理解与 OSCC 相关的复杂致癌机制。
